Sleeping with the Enemy, Tala Monastery and Finnikas

There was a definite up-side to having our unwelcome visitor - absolutely every nook and cranny, drawer, cupboard and hidey hole was blitzed to within an inch of its life and my kitchen cupboards now resemble a scene from Sleeping with the Enemy - if this is not a film you are familiar with then go watch it and if you open your kitchen cupboards to find rows and rows of neatly (should I say regimentaly) stacked items ordered by size, colour and whatever else then be afraid - be very afraid!

Today the weather has returned to its norm for this time of year which meant that our trip down to Paphos was a warm and sticky one.  Clutching my notification from HM Revenue and Customs that I was due an unexpected but nonetheless very welcome tax rebate we had decided to hit the town - no holds barred - in search of a fridge freezer!  No shoes, no clothes no craft items just a fridge freezer!  We have often regarded the specialist shops down the Polis Road as being a bit pricey but in fact they generally offer better deals than the more 'English' establishments and, when we found the model we liked, the man in the shop declared that he was originally from Drouseia when we asked about delivery so we were 'neighbours' which is second best to being a 'cousin'!  He was, in fact, from Kritou Tera which is the village across the way from us but that is near enough in our book especially if it was going to secure us a discount!  A little question to get answered regarding the climate rating and I think John and I have (most unusually) come to an agreement - that means it will snow tomorrow!

It was a mother and daughter afternoon so after a bit of shopping in readiness for John's mum's visit we headed for the hills and the cool of Tala Monastery.  We stopped by the Tala Monastery cat enclosure which, although closed to the public from 2.00 pm, had a whole host of beautiful cats wandering around the car park and coming up to us to say hello.  I am not entirely sure how many cats the establishment cares for - I know it runs into hundreds and they struggle on a shoestring with their unenviable task.  Mum and I have actually sponsored a page in their charity cookbook to help with fund raising and when it is cooler we intend to return when it is open to see exactly what goes on - it will be good for Mum as she helps (wo)man the What's New Pussy Cat charity shop in Kissonerga which raises funds for Tala.  No doubt we will go armed with a few tins and treats for the residents!

We chose to have afternoon tea at the Monastery cafe which provided some welcome respite from the heat and humidity further down the hill.  It is such a peaceful place to sit and people watch at any time of the year - it seems to have a micro-climate all of its own!

This evening the ex-pat supporters arm of the Mighty EN.A.D. assembled for a pre-season get-together enjoying a meal at Finikas Taverna in Polis Square.  I haven't eaten there for years and years - in fact being hillbilly hicks from up the mountains we rarely venture out from the Droushia environs for a 'Big Night Out' but venture we did and had a lovely evening with the other WAGS or should I say WWPUWFFHs (women who put up with football fanatic husbands).  If you are thinking of going Finikas do a damn fine three course set menu.  The service was good and the atmosphere holiday like - it reminded us all how very lucky we are to be able to enjoy this experience whenever we want to.

Our star guest was Boogie the EN.A.D midfielder who called by to say Hello - in fact he and his new wife were due to eat with us until the manager had the players in training late last night.  For the ladies Boogie was nowhere near as exciting as the star guest who ate at Orexi last night but I will have to write about that another time!